As is my custom at this time of the year, I wrote to the President of the Executive Council some days ago to inquire, for the information of Senators, what Bills the Government wish to be passed by the Seanad before we rise for the summer. I have now received a reply to my letter and so I am in a position to inform the House what these Bills are. I shall divide the list into three parts:—
A. Bills at Present With the Seanad.
1. Constitution (Amendment No. 19) Bill.
2. Musk Rats Bill.
3. Local Government (Extension of Franchise) Bill.
4. Electoral (Amendment) Bill.
5. Public Hospitals Bill.
6. Cement (No. 2) Bill.
7. Finance Bill.
8. Public Services (Temporary Economies) Bill.
B. Bills Already Introduced in the Dáil and Circulated.
9. Seeds and Fertilisers (Supply) Bill.
10. Industrial Credit Bill.
11. Approved Investments Bill.
12. Perpetual Funds (Registration) Bill.
13. Damage to Property (Compensation) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill.
14. Land Bill.
15. Cork Tramways (Employees Compensation) Bill.
16. Agricultural Products (Regulation of Export) Bill.
17. Moneylenders (No. 2) Bill.
18. Clarecastle Pier Bill.
19. Dáil Eireann Loans and Funds Bill.
C. Bills not yet Introduced in the Dáil and not Circulated.
20. Appropriation Bill.
21. Emergency Duties Bill.
22. Barrow Drainage Bill.
23. Temporary Economies (Local Authorities) Bill.
24. Relief of Rates Bill.
25. Gaeltacht School Meals Bill.
26. Shannon Bill.
27. Pigs (Tribunal) Bill.
28. Co-operative Societies (Debentures) Bill.
29. Poultry (Diseases) Bill.
30. Horses Bill.
To these must probably be added the Imposition of Duties (Confirmation of Orders) Bill, which was introduced in the Dáil on the 6th July, and possibly also the Gárda Síochána (Pensions) Bill, and the Sugar Manufacture Bill, which are being introduced to-day. This makes a total of 33 Bills, and if they are all to be adequately dealt with before we rise we shall probably doubtless be here until toward the close of September
The situation is of course unprecedented, but I suggest that it should not be discussed now. If the leaders of the various groups will consider the matter I shall be obliged, and if I can assist them in any way in coming to a decision I shall be only too happy to do so.